Blind Detroiters and disability advocates voiced serious concerns at a recent City Council session regarding the unreliability of Voter Access Terminals (VATs), which they say prevented independent voting during the August primary election. They urged the city to ensure a different experience for the upcoming November election.
Sabrina Rice, who has been blind for 14 years, described her experience during the August 4 primary. She attempted to cast her ballot using three different VAT machines over a two-hour period but was unable to do so without assistance. Rice noted that she arrived with hopes of voting independently, but even poll workers expressed skepticism about the machines' functionality. She characterized this as "a recurring incident."
Richard Clay, president of Detroit Advocates of the Blind, called the non-functional VAT machine he encountered "a travesty," stating it was "a violation of our civil rights." Clay added that hundreds of blind individuals and others with disabilities rely on these machines but find them unusable. Stephen Handschu, also with Detroit Advocates of the Blind, reiterated that this struggle has persisted for years, citing a lack of training for VAT setup and use at polling sites, as well as the machines' general unreliability. He expressed difficulty in describing the experience of being unable to vote independently and secretly, concluding there is "no excuse."
In response to the concerns, the Detroit Department of Elections issued a statement on Tuesday, confirming that each of the city's 158 polling locations has a Voter Assistance Terminal, with additional machines held in reserve. The department stated that complaints about VATs are not frequent, but when received, a team is promptly dispatched to resolve the issue on-site or replace the machine from reserves. The department also noted that on Election Day, teams visit various polling locations across the city to ensure smooth and efficient voting for all Detroiters, including assisted voting. Furthermore, the elections office stated that a specialist, trained by their staff on VAT use and voter assistance, is assigned to every city polling location to help differently-abled voters. An Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) call center is also available on Election Day to report VAT issues.
The City Clerk's office has faced questions regarding accessibility in prior elections, including 2022, 2024, and ahead of the 2025 city election. Detroit Disability Power, a nonprofit advocacy group, has conducted multiple surveys of polling sites, with a 2022 survey identifying widespread accessibility barriers, particularly with entrances and doorways. Last year, 70% of individuals surveyed by the group reported problems with VATs. Kaci Pellar, a policy manager for Detroit Disability Power, acknowledged that VAT machines offer valuable technology when correctly set up. However, Pellar has frequently observed that these machines in Detroit are either improperly configured or poll workers are not adequately prepared to assist voters. Pellar emphasized that a non-operational or improperly set-up VAT machine acts as "an impediment to civil rights and federal voting laws."
City Council President James Tate, who is also a member of the city’s election commission alongside Detroit Corporation Counsel Conrad Mallett and City Clerk Janice Winfrey, assured attendees that he takes these concerns very seriously. Tate stated that Tuesday marked the first time he had heard such direct and in-depth comments, referring to them as "testimonies" that he would not let pass unaddressed. Other council members, including those on the Disability Task Force, also expressed concern. District 6 Council Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero called for improved VAT training and sought plans to ensure sufficient working terminals on Election Day for independent voting. District 7 Council Member Denzel McCampbell, who serves on the Disability Task Force, underscored the urgency of solving these issues before the November general election, calling some of the day's testimonies "absolutely unacceptable."
Sabrina Rice concluded by explaining her commitment to voting since age 18. She stressed that the VAT issues prevent her from casting a truly secret ballot, something she views as a fundamental right, emphasizing that nobody should be able to see who she votes for.